(CNN) - President Barack Obama delivers his annual State of the Union address Tuesday night in Washington. Check back here for updates from CNN reporters and producers on Capitol Hill and at the White House. Also tune into CNN for live coverage of the speech beginning at 8 p.m. ET, and afterward for a full wrap-up with reaction and analysis anchored by Anderson Cooper.

10:50 p.m. ET - Former GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain delivers a tea party response to the State of the Union. Watch here.

10:44 p.m. ET – Daniels ended by laying out a broad theme of the upcoming year for Republicans, who will be working to defeat President Obama and win seats in Congress.

"Republicans in 2012 welcome all our countrymen to a program of renewal that rebuilds the dream for all, and makes our ‘city on a hill’ shine once again.”10:38 p.m. ET – Daniels struck a note common on the GOP campaign trail, suggesting President Obama pits 'haves' versus 'have nots.'

"No feature of the Obama Presidency has been sadder than its constant efforts to divide us, to curry favor with some Americans by castigating others."

10:36 p.m. ET – Daniels touched on tax reform for wealthy Americans: "It’s absolutely so that everyone should contribute to our national recovery, including of course the most affluent among us. There are smart ways and dumb ways to do this: the dumb way is to raise rates in a broken, grossly complex tax system, choking off growth without bringing in the revenues we need to meet our debts."

10:34 p.m. ET – Daniels laid out GOP platform for economic growth: "“That means a dramatically simpler tax system of fewer loopholes and lower rates. A pause in the mindless piling on of expensive new regulations that devour dollars that otherwise could be used to hire somebody."

10:32 p.m. ET – Daniels issues a call to Republicans in this presidential election year: "An opposition that would earn its way back to leadership must offer not just criticism of failures that anyone can see, but a positive and credible plan to make life better, particularly for those aspiring to make a better life for themselves. Republicans accept this duty, gratefully."

10:30 p.m. ET - Daniels begans by praising the president, but quickly moved to criticism of Obama's record.

"The President did not cause the economic and fiscal crises that continue in America tonight. But he was elected on a promise to fix them, and he cannot claim that the last three years have made things anything but worse: the percentage of Americans with a job is at the lowest in decades. One in five men of prime working age, and nearly half of all persons under 30, did not go to work today."

10:16 p.m. ET - Obama ended his address after more than an hour. He greeted members of his cabinet and members of Congress on his way out of the House Chamber.

10:16 p.m. ET – Obama: "As long as we’re joined in common purpose, as long as we maintain our common resolve, our journey moves forward, our future is hopeful, and the state of our Union will always be strong."

10:15 p.m. ET – Obama: "One of my proudest possessions is the flag that the SEAL Team took with them on the mission to get bin Laden. On it are each of their names. Some may be Democrats. Some may be Republicans. But that doesn’t matter. Just like it didn’t matter that day in the Situation Room, when I sat next to Bob Gates – a man who was George Bush’s defense secretary; and Hillary Clinton, a woman who ran against me for president."

10:09 p.m. ET - Obama: "Anyone who tells you that America is in decline or that our influence has waned, doesn’t know what they’re talking about."

10:08 p.m. ET – Obama: "Let there be no doubt: America is determined to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, and I will take no options off the table to achieve that goal."

10:07 p.m. ET – Obama moves into foreign policy. "In Syria, I have no doubt that the Assad regime will soon discover that the forces of change can’t be reversed, and that human dignity can’t be denied."

10:03 p.m. ET – Obama: "A simple majority is no longer enough to get anything – even routine business – passed through the Senate. Neither party has been blameless in these tactics. Now both parties should put an end to it. For starters, I ask the Senate to pass a rule that all judicial and public service nominations receive a simple up or down vote within 90 days."

From CNN White House Producer Lesa Jansen:A jab at Congress for many of his nominees for judicial appointments being stalled - and his nominee for the head of the new consumer bureau Richard Cordray’s nomination put in limbo by the Senate. POTUS appointed Cordray in a “recess” appointment. Cordray is a guest tonight in Michelle Obama’s box at the speech

10:03 p.m. ET – Obama: "I’m a Democrat. But I believe what Republican Abraham Lincoln believed: That Government should do for people only what they cannot do better by themselves, and no more."

Drew bipartisan applause.

10:00 p.m. ET – Obama: "Send me a bill that bans insider trading by Members of Congress, and I will sign it tomorrow."

9:59 p.m. ET – Obama: “The greatest blow to confidence in our economy last year didn't come from events beyond our control. It came from a debate in Washington over whether the United States would pay its bills or not. Who benefited from that fiasco?"

"I've talked tonight about the deficit of trust between Main Street and Wall Street. But the divide between this city and the rest of the country is at least as bad – and it seems to get worse every year.”

From CNN White House Producer Lesa Jansen:A shot at Congress and the partisan divide that the administration has characterized as “dysfunctional”

9:55 p.m. ET – Obama: "Right now, because of loopholes and shelters in the tax code, a quarter of all millionaires pay lower tax rates than millions of middle-class households. Right now, Warren Buffett pays a lower tax rate than his secretary… Tax reform should follow the Buffett rule: If you make more than $1 million a year, you should not pay less than 30 percent in taxes.”

9:54 p.m. ET – Obama: "People cannot afford losing $40 out of each paycheck this year. There are plenty of ways to get this done. So let's agree right here, right now: No side issues. No drama. Pass the payroll tax cut without delay”

From CNN White House Producer Lesa Jansen:
This is about the showdown between Congressional Republicans and Obama just before Christmas over the payroll tax cut. The compromise then was only to extend the tax cut until February, now just days away.

"I am asking my Attorney General to create a special unit of federal prosecutors and leading state attorneys general to expand our investigations into the abusive lending and packaging of risky mortgages that led to the housing crisis. This new unit will hold accountable those who broke the law, speed assistance to homeowners, and help turn the page on an era of recklessness that hurt so many Americans.”

From CNN White House Producer Lesa Jansen:Wall Street reforms are important – it’s Wall Street misbehavior many blame for the risky loans that toppled the housing market.

9:50 p.m. ET – Obama: "We got rid of one rule from 40 years ago that could have forced some dairy farmers to spend $10,000 a year proving that they could contain a spill – because milk was somehow classified as an oil. With a rule like that, I guess it was worth crying over spilled milk."

9:46 p.m. ET – Obama: “Take the money we're no longer spending at war, use half of it to pay down our debt, and use the rest to do some nation-building right here at home."

From CNN White House Producer Lesa Jansen:This is the so-called peace dividend – use the money saved from ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to pay off the huge deficit and to put Americans to work building infrastructure projects.

9:43 p.m. ET – Obama: "It’s time to end the taxpayer giveaways to an industry that’s rarely been more profitable, and double-down on a clean energy industry that’s never been more promising. Pass clean energy tax credits and create these jobs."

Applause from Democrats.

9:41 p.m. ET – @diedrewalshcnn: Some loud cheers from GOPers when President mentions "all of the above" energy strategy- a contrast to smattering of applause on immigration

9:36 p.m. ET – "That means women should earn equal pay for equal work. It means we should support everyone who’s willing to work; and every risk-taker and entrepreneur who aspires to become the next Steve Jobs."

9:35 p.m. ET – Obama: "I believe as strongly as ever that we should take on illegal immigration. That's why my Administration has put more boots on the border than ever before. That's why there are fewer illegal crossings than when I took office."

"The opponents of action are out of excuses. We should be working on comprehensive immigration reform right now. But if election-year politics keeps Congress from acting on a comprehensive plan, let's at least agree to stop expelling responsible young people who want to staff our labs, start new businesses, and defend this country. Send me a law that gives them the chance to earn their citizenship. I will sign it right away."

From CNN White House Producer Lesa Jansen:POTUS is talking about the DREAM act, a bill that would allow undocumented students to become eligible for legal status. He announced his support for it earlier this year and is once again returning focus to immigration reform after being criticized by many in the Latino community for failing to push harder for reform.

9:34 p.m. ET – From CNN's Dana Bash: Interesting dynamic. Jeff Flake – a Republican – is sitting with Rep. Giffords. He's helping her get up when Dems get up for POTUS applause lines – even though he clearly wouldn't be standing on his own. Just saw him ask her if she wanted to stand for last one – she declined and smiled and clearly thanked him.

The irony is that had Giffords not been shot, the two of them may be running against each other for Kyl's Senate seat.

9:31 p.m. ET - Obama praises the work of schoolteachers. "So instead of bashing them, or defending the status quo, let’s offer schools a deal. Give them the resources to keep good teachers on the job, and reward the best ones. In return, grant schools flexibility: To teach with creativity and passion; to stop teaching to the test; and to replace teachers who just aren’t helping kids learn."

9:29 p.m. ET – @crowleycnn: While every one jumps up and down around them, The Supremes are sitting so still it looks like they are painted into the scene.

9:28 p.m. ET – Obama highlights Jackie Bray, a single mom from North Carolina who was laid off from her job as a mechanic. She is sitting in the first lady's box.

"I want every American looking for work to have the same opportunity as Jackie did. Join me in a national commitment to train two million Americans with skills that will lead directly to a job."

9:27 p.m. ET - Obama: "I'm announcing the creation of a Trade Enforcement Unit that will be charged with investigating unfair trade practices in countries like China. There will be more inspections to prevent counterfeit or unsafe goods from crossing our borders."

From CNN White House Producer Lesa Jansen:When POTUS visited the Pacific Rim late last year he talked about how China must "play by the rules".

9:23 p.m. ET – Obama: "We should start with our tax code. Right now, companies get tax breaks for moving jobs and profits overseas. Meanwhile, companies that choose to stay in America get hit with one of the highest tax rates in the world. It makes no sense, and everyone knows it. So let's change it. First, if you're a business that wants to outsource jobs, you shouldn't get a tax deduction for doing it."

From CNN White House Producer Lesa Jansen:This is the first time we've heard the administration talk about countering companies outsourcing jobs by taking away some of their tax breaks if they do so.

9:21 p.m. ET – Obama lauds success of American auto industry. "We bet on American workers. We bet on American ingenuity. And tonight, the American auto industry is back."

Applause, but no standing ovation.

9:19 p.m. ET – Obama: "The state of our Union is getting stronger. And we’ve come too far to turn back now. As long as I’m President, I will work with anyone in this chamber to build on this momentum. But I intend to fight obstruction with action, and I will oppose any effort to return to the very same policies that brought on this economic crisis in the first place."

Received applause from Democrats.

9:18 p.m. ET – Obama: "In the six months before I took office, we lost nearly four million jobs. And we lost another four million before our policies were in full effect. Those are the facts."

8:51 p.m. ET – House Speaker John Boehner called the joint session to order.

8:47 p.m. – @DanaBashCNN: Old fashioned schmoozing going on in the house chamber as they wait for potus

8:44 p.m. ET – The president's motorcade arrived at the United States Capitol.

8:43 p.m. ET - One final excerpt from tonight's address, with analysis below from CNN White House Producer Lesa Jansen.

"Let's never forget: Millions of Americans who work hard and play by the rules every day deserve a government and a financial system that does the same. It's time to apply the same rules from top to bottom: No bailouts, no handouts, and no copouts. An America built to last insists on responsibility from everybody."

A swipe at what the administration considers the forces protecting the wealthy - read Wall Street and special interests.

8:38 p.m. ET – Senators filed into the House Chamber. Senators walk through Statuary Hall on their way into the chamber.

8:36 p.m. ET – The president left the White House en route to the United States Capitol.

8:35 p.m. ET - Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will not attend tonight's State of the Union. One member of the president's cabinet does not attend the speech to maintain government continuity in the event of a catastrophe.

8:32 p.m. ET – Thune mentions two things he'd like to hear in Obama's address: a plan for producing American energy and substantive plan for jobs.

8:31 p.m. ET – South Dakota Republican Sen. John Thune tells CNN's Kate Bolduan: Obama will distract and shift the blame for a poor economy. "Obama record has been a failed one for American workers."

8:28 p.m. – @arifleischer : I wonder if there will be an empty chair in the POTUS box for all the workers who didn't get a job building Keystone.

8:26 p.m. ET – Here's another excerpt from tonight's State of the Union, with analysis from CNN White House Producer Lesa Jansen.

"...we will not go back to an economy weakened by outsourcing, bad debt, and phony financial profits. Tonight, I want to speak about how we move forward, and lay out a blueprint for an economy that's built to last – an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values."

You heard POTUS argue for "in-sourcing" while he was in Detroit earlier this month, touting how his auto bailout saved American jobs.

8:24 p.m. ET - @JohnBoehner: House Republicans' focus over the course of the year ahead will remain on getting things done #4jobs. #stateofjobs

8:22 p.m. ET – Tonight's State of the Union will feature a new House Sergeant at Arms. The Sergeant at Arms announces the president into the House Chamber at the beginning of the speech. Paul Irving officially took over the role January 17. He replaced Bill Livingood, who held the position for seventeen years.

"As long as I'm President, I will work with anyone in this chamber to build on this momentum. But I intend to fight obstruction with action, and I will oppose any effort to return to the very same policies that brought on this economic crisis in the first place."
A warning for the GOP in Congress and a continuation of Obama's "We Can't Wait" tact, where the administration circumvents Congress and pushes forward initiatives that can be achieved through executive action. Obama's recess appointment of consumer chief Richard Cordray is an example of this – Cordray, by the way, is a guest in the first lady's box at tonight's speech.

8:13 p.m. ET – Tom Foreman looks at how well Obama has achieved goals made in 2011's State of the Union. Read more here.

"We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by. Or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules. What's at stake are not Democratic values or Republican values, but American values. We have to reclaim them."

The president seeks to frame the debate in this election year, drawing a clear contrast between Democrats' and Republicans' views of the country's future and the role government will play.

soundoff(163 Responses)

You missed the biggest highlight for long term policy, FINALLY a politician didn't give short shrift to basic research and infrastructure as the basis of prosperity.

January 25, 2012 02:18 am at 2:18 am |

Ms J

I am so proud to once again give President Obama my full support as he seeks to be re-elected, I will not be discouraged by the usual tactics be used the GOP believes what that people don t remember how we got in this mess in the first place how can he fix in 4 years what has been broken for much longer

January 25, 2012 02:25 am at 2:25 am |

Name

The Rich, Hates Taxes!!! Pay like the Middle and Poor!!!!!! That's only Fare!!!!! Why the Rich pays less, the middle and poor, pays more!!!!!!!!!

January 25, 2012 02:40 am at 2:40 am |

DixonIV

I wish the Republicans had a bigger agenda than just beating Obama. The republicans have a following that will believe anything fox noise tells them while ignoring they facts. The economy is better dispite the attempts of the right to hamstring this president. I get tired of the right wing nuts who bring nothing to the table, but name calling.

January 25, 2012 04:26 am at 4:26 am |

James Campbell

I enjoyed the State of the Union and the GOP response. Both were informative of the partie's respective positions. I was chagrined at the dour and condescending looks that POTUS got from the Republicans. The GOP is a party that doesn't really like any of their candidates for POTUS. Whether Romney, Gingrich, Santorum or Paul, the GOP is dissatisfied with each. How can they possibly expect any one of them to defeat President Obama? The GOP message is simply one of obstruction and obfuscation. In my humble view, the problem is not that they don't talk to each other, but that our politicians don't listen to one another and compromise when appropriate. I yearn for the days of Lyndon Johnson, Everett Dirksen, and their House counterparts who worked together for the best interests of the USA. I understand that Lyndon and Speaker Rayburn did a lot of business with a Jack Daniel's in hand, but it was a far better way to do business than yelling at each other. Now, our current Speaker and the GOP Majority Leader (Speaker in waiting) can't even get along. What's wrong with this picture? The men and women in Congress need to work together for all of us, and when necessary, put aside differences to get things done.

January 25, 2012 04:43 am at 4:43 am |

ericoconnell

That' what High Speed Universities is all about, to further the education of students. They need more than a high school degree today, they need at least 2 years of college, preferrably 4, and then we're going to work with communities so they can grow economically and create more jobs for our young people

January 25, 2012 05:40 am at 5:40 am |

Omari Dice

The president'­s greatest speech ever, in my estimation at least. Talk about knock it out of the ballpark, the ball he hit is still out there sailing and might be halfway to the moon. To me the message was clear, simple, honest and all-Americ­an: "There's nothing wrong with Capitalism­. It's the greatest idea ever on how to make it work for everybody.­. "But there's nothing wrong with senior citizens either, the poor, the hungry, the destitute, nothing wrong with a reasonable cost of education for our children, a reasonable health care policy for our seniors and the less fortunate, the disabled. "We cannot ask our Black and White and Catholic and Jewish and Muslim and Protestant and Gay and Straight and Conservati­ve and Liberal children to go jump in front of bullets in Iraq and Afghanista­n while we at home are passing into legislatio­n bills that deny them the freedoms they are over there dying for, that we may have them back home." I love this man. And I'm not ashamed to say it. This is one of our 3 greatest presidents ever. Obama will win a 2nd term...and will win it with one hand tied behind his back.

January 25, 2012 05:42 am at 5:42 am |

Omari Dice

Class warfare" = the new Republican play-word

It takes the place of the word_"soci­alist"_whi­ch they still don't know the true meaning of, besides "someone who doesn't agree with me".

True class warfare is when Republican­s want to make sure the rich don't have to pay a penny, but that the poor and middle class have to pay everything to ensure that the rich can take that money and go buy a new Ferrari.

But the Republican definition of "class warfare" is "only when they fight back". Otherwise, they don't know the true meaning of the term, much like_"soci­alist".

January 25, 2012 05:46 am at 5:46 am |

sabina barnes

For all those sad rep,you better get ready the fight is on ,this like watching ali deafeating joe frazier,its all over now 2012 obama, is the man the, rep cant do it obama can ,newt and romney, you two better watch out. Neither one can do the job at hand,so let us get the facts straight,obama speech did it for me,rep put up or shut up.stop trying to put obama down andwork with him you all cant do, any better.

January 25, 2012 05:52 am at 5:52 am |

GaryB

Some good legislative suggestions in there; don't know if any of them have a chance of getting through congress. Interesting historical perspective: the total employment rate (the percentage of Americans 16 to 65 who are employed) is nearly identical to what it was when Reagan won re-election in 1984. There has actually been a greater increase in employment during the first three years of Obama's presidency than there was during the first three years of Reagans, and middle class taxes are lower than the were during the same period under Reagan. Thos Republicans who think that Obama has the worst modern record on the economy or think that beating Obama will be a cakewalk may wish to study some history.

January 25, 2012 06:58 am at 6:58 am |

Do Not Disassemble

Two ways to make America better.

Keep Obama.
Take back congress.

January 25, 2012 07:35 am at 7:35 am |

Duck Duck Duck - GOOSE

Great speach.
Good political move to dump the problems where they come from,
at the feet of the Republicans.
Watch the Republicans go into "damage control" mode.
Too late.

January 25, 2012 07:41 am at 7:41 am |

Dominican mama 4 Obama

"I will fight obstruction with action"
"You can call it class warfare all you want..."
"Americans know it is NOT envy....it is common sense"
"Anyone that tells you that our influence has waned doesn't know what they are talking about"
------------------------
Forceful, direct, unafraid, commanding speech.
MY President has spoken.
Obama 2012.A President for ALL Americans.